The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-16

/ 81 .,
the driver, and then we joined Aunt Pen
niman. She was not the lofty patrician
looking old lady we had imagined, but
shrewd and good-natured in expression
with face still round and full, and with
bright black eyes, and alas for Laura's
hair-dressing. smooth brown foretop and
a cap. She was tired after her long journey
but still lively and laxative and pleased
with everything.
| "What beautiful roomI" she said, when
we took her upstairs. SIT seems just like
home to me. One of the rooms in my house
when my husband was living, was just like
| this"
She enjoyed her lunch and ate heartily,
| We were glad to see that she said nothing
| Of dyspepsia, or Of fear that the tea would
| keep her awake. And as she began she
went on, with an even, cheerful manner,
that set US at ease. The day after her ar
rival, she entertained US for hours with
| accounts of her former glories. She said
that when she went to Providence in her
| early married life, she wore a silk dress
that lay on the ground more than yard,
| and when she walked on the street she had
little negro boy TO follow behind her and
| carry her train. She said that the Governor
| himself once sent her basket of cham
payne when she was going to entertain
| some distinguished guests at dinner, and at
| a convention held in Providence, when she
entered late, more than twenty gentlemen
sprang up to offer her a seat.
"Oh, yes, indeed, girlsr' she said, smil-
| ing, 81 was at that time called the belle of
| the city, and more than one of the English
nobility has visited at my house. / may
even tell you privately now, though it was
then a state secret, that royalty in disguise
| once found a home with your uncle and
| me-"
WAS it the Dauphinl" l asked, eagerly
for had just been reading French history.
mot q word morel Not a word more ~
she said meaningly, and then drifted of
into description of her curtains, her paint
ings, and her furniture aud china. These
things, as she explained, the nephews of
her husband had taken from her after his
death. "a little tricky, those Pennimans ~
she added, with a sober shake of her head
We were all very much interested in
these recitals. Laura especially listened,
with wide eyes ard glowing cheeks, declar-
ing it was better than fairy tale.
''Do you believe all she saysr' l asked
Jean when we presently went out to pre-
pare tray of sweet cakes and chocolate.
"Of course" she said, rather shortly
'You know we have always heard that she
was wealthy, and very fond of gay society"
She was sociable still, for she soon began
TO come into the kitchen to talk while was
cooking and if any of our friends called,
Aunt PennIman never failed to be in the
room. She would seat herself in the big
rocking chair when Doctor Harry came to
see Jean, and would beam upon them the
whole evening, unless they went out to
walk. Some days, however, she would
seem little preoccupied and would shut
herself up for hours il her room, explain
ing afterward that she had been Cooking
through her trunks" We used to wonder
what there was in those six trunks, and we
had visions OF rich old laces, grapes and
brocades. We meant, if we should ever be
invited to fancy dress ball, to borrow our
costumes from Aunt Penniman.
April was melting into May, and the
leaves were well out on the trees, when one
mild morning Laura found Aunt Penniman
on the back porch, watching two little
brown birds over by the fence.
''SeeI" she said, delightedly; ''there are
two little wrens that used to be in our yard
in Providence. They have followed me
here"
Laura laughed and thought It a very
pretty fancy, but when later on a friend
brought her some trailing arbutus, and she
ran upstairs to get her green Japanese
bowl, to set in the parlor for the flowers,
Aunt Penniman made vigorous opposition.
''No, no, child" she said. 81 have had
that bowl for forty years, ahd never let any
one touch it but myself, so it should not get
broken Ask your mother for some COM
Oh L la
take my bowlp'
Laura thought shewas joking, but the old
lady was in serious earnest, and when
explained to her that myself bought it for
Laura the last Christmas, she paid no at
tention, but held it the tighter and seemed
to be growing nervous.
So / went to mother and told her Mother
said, quietly:
''She is getting little childish, think
Old people often do. l wouldn't seem to
notice it; she will forget it by tomorrow"
1t was when she had been with US about
six weeks, and had become quite one of the
family, that one afternoon, when Jean and
Laura were both out, coaxed mother to
take little walk with me in the sunshine
Aunt Penniman urged our going, and said
she would keep house till we returned. We
were absent less than an hour, but when
we came back we found every article in the
parlor moved and changed about, so that
we hardly knew the room. Aunt Penni-
man sat on the sofa, tanning herself and
smiling.
II thought would fix the room up" she
said, complacently, because was expect
ing call from my beau; but he did not
come after ALL
cts just a little eccentricity," said Jean,
when she heard of it.
But Jean now began to study her &C
counts more than ever, and tn look more
worried over them, for bills we're running
up as they never did before. We felt bound
to consult Aunt Penniman's tastes, know
ing she had been used to good living, and
we had not the money to pay as We went
She had told Jean that she had a certain
monthly income, besides larger amount IN
dividends every quarter, and also said she
liked our home so well that she should pay
not less than seventy dollars month
Jean hoped she would make monthly pay
meuts, but as this had not been done, she
believed Aunt Pennimau must be waiting
for the July dividends, and the question
was how to keep along till then with all our
expenses.
'Where can Aunt Penuiman be-" asked
mother as we met around the breakfast
table one morning. "She is usually the first
here. Run upstairs, Laura, and call herr
Laura Obeyed, and after few moments
came back with an anxious face.
"Aunt Penniman doesn't feel well enough
to get up this morning." she said. ''She
would like to have me bring her something
by and by"
snow send for HarryI" said, glancing
at Jean.
Certainly 1 will, if necessary" she